Revenue to target 'celebrity hit list'

CELEBRITIES from the worlds of sport, entertainment, business and politics are being warned they face investigation if they fail to disclose unpaid tax. Accountants PKF said investigators from HM Revenue & Customs' Special Investigators Civil unit are understood to be waiting for the 'tax amnesty' to end before making a swoop on a select group of people.

CELEBRITIES from the worlds of sport, entertainment, business and politics are being warned they face investigation if they fail to disclose unpaid tax.

Accountants PKF said investigators from HM Revenue & Customs' Special Investigators Civil unit are understood to be waiting for the 'tax amnesty', which was announced last week, to end before making a swoop on a select group of people.

HMRC offered the amnesty to thousands of UK investors who hide money in offshore accounts. If investors come forward by June 22 and reveal their accounts, they will receive a flat penalty rate of 10 per cent of their outstanding bill.

Now it has been revealed that high-profile celebrities will be targeted next.

John Cassidy, PKF tax investigations partner, believes the intention is to name and shame celebrities and hold 'show trials' to generate maximum publicity and discourage further tax avoidance.

He says: "The A-list and those on the annual `rich lists' will be hoping this is one list they've managed to stay off."